9:47 AM, 24th July 2023, About 3 years ago 44
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The Housing Secretary Michael Gove says the Government is ‘asking too much too quickly’ of landlords to comply with EPC measures by a proposed date of 2028, he told the Daily Telegraph.
Pointing to protests in Holland over tighter emissions regulations, Mr Gove says the ‘inflexible’ application of rules to reduce pollution will lead ‘to a backlash’.
And he says that the financial pressures facing landlords to upgrade properties to meet an EPC rating of C in the next few years mean ‘we should relax the pace’.
In the interview, he said: “My own strong view is that we’re asking too much too quickly.
“We do want to move towards greater energy efficiency, but just at this point, when landlords face so much, I think that we should relax the pace that’s been set for people in the private rented sector, particularly because many of them are currently facing a big capital outlay in order to improve that efficiency.”
The move follows the drubbing last week of the Conservatives in two by-elections – and a close call in Boris Johnson’s former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
And former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith also says a rethink of net zero ambitions need rethinking.
In response, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) says the Government needs to confirm a deadline for EPC upgrades so landlords can prepare and budget for the work.
The NRLA’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “It is over two years since the Government completed its consultation on energy efficiency standards in rented homes.
“As a result of the delay in responding to this, there was never any hope of meeting the originally proposed deadlines, as we told the Minister earlier this month.”
He added: “The NRLA wants to see properties as energy efficient as possible, but the sector needs certainty about how and when this will happen.
“Ministers need to develop a proper plan that includes a fair financial package to support improvements in the private rented sector.
“We will continue to work with all parties to develop pragmatic and workable proposals.”
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Reluctant Landlord
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Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3438 - Articles: 5
10:25 AM, 24th July 2023, About 3 years ago
hahahah – he was the bugger pushing for this in the first place!
They are all starting to think about their jobs being lost at the end of 2024 I think if they don’t start thinking about the crud they are churning out…amazing how this focusses their mind…
GlanACC
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Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1483
10:25 AM, 24th July 2023, About 3 years ago
I suppose we need to thank Mr Khan for forcing the issue, strange world isn’t it. I am hoping they reduce the requirements to EPC D as this is much more achievable. Also hope they reform the EPC system. Do they want people to have cheaper bills or net zero, can’t have both at the moment. Also doesn’t make sense to have to spend £10k on upgrading a property to save £400 a year.
Blodwyn
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Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 508
10:37 AM, 24th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Doth Gove Speak with forkéd tongue?
Or has he suddenly ‘seen the light’ as my late mother’s religious fanatic sister in law occasionally asked her?
More likely some of his landlord constituents have told him to scrape the barrel for votes unless he takes note of the world outside the H of C?
But what damage has he done already?
DSR puts it succinctly.
Denise G
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Member Since October 2011 - Comments: 135
10:40 AM, 24th July 2023, About 3 years ago
What we actually need is some clarity about the timing and the proposed financial commitment from the landlord, as well as a commitment from the government about the level of support they will be providing – and at what point any spend from us will qualify – or no longer qualify. Personally, we NEED to spend some big money on one of our properties – and one element of the work that needs to be done is becoming quite urgent.
How though can we confidently spend the big bucks required now, when it may later transpire that our spend didn’t count towards our financial contribution to meeting the EPC demands?
Martin Hicks
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Member Since June 2023 - Comments: 61
10:45 AM, 24th July 2023, About 3 years ago
As most homes in the UK are owner-occupied, it would seem logical to encourage/enforce improved energy efficiency in them as well as in rented property. This would provide a more level playing field.
Whiteskifreak Surrey
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Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 970 - Articles: 1
10:52 AM, 24th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Does anyone here take that seriously?
This backstabber and opportunist cannot be trusted.
This is just a pre-election LIE. He needs landlords’ backing, ha ha ha.
The sooner he will stop being the Cons member the better for everyone.
nekillim200
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Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 33
10:58 AM, 24th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Council Housing should have to reach EPC Band C first. Then the Government would see how expensive it is.
Steve O'Dell
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Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 58
11:09 AM, 24th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Martin Hicks at 24/07/2023 – 10:45
Personally I prefer not to be told what to do with my castle.
Judith Wordsworth
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Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1382
11:36 AM, 24th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Martin Hicks at 24/07/2023 – 10:45
APC is not just aimed at rentals. States this quite clearly in the NetZero proposal. Owner occupiers will need to achieve A-C 2030/35. But obviously only kicks in for current owners occupiers when they come to sell.
Also mortgage lenders, and some are doing this already, will not be allowed to lend against properties not in the EPC A-A banding.
Judith Wordsworth
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Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1382
11:38 AM, 24th July 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Steve O’Dell at 24/07/2023 – 11:09
Net Zero proposals include owner occupiers AND criteria for mortgage lenders
Worth having a read.